Decimals


How to Read a Decimal

Decimals are read as a whole number followed by the rightmost decimal position.


5.1 is read as five and one tenth.

3.14 is read as three and fourteen hundredths.

7.258 is read as seven and two hundred fifty eight thousandths.






Zeroes are special Space Holders.

9.05 is read as nine and five hundredths.

1.008 is read as one and eight thousandths.






Leading Zeroes and Trailing Zeroes

When there is no Whole Number in front of the Decimal Point, then you MUST use a Leading Zero.

.5 is incorrect.

0.5 is the correct way to write five tenths.


Trailing Zeroes, are NOT ALLOWED.

0.40, or forty hundredths, is incorrect.

0.4, or four tenths, is correct.


Decimal Points

When there is no Decimal, the Decimal Point, should NOT BE USED.

2. is incorrect.

2 is the correct way to write the integer two.






The Rules governing Leading Zeroes, Trailing Zeroes, and Decimal Points have shown evidence of best practice by

Institute for Safe Medication Practices
The Joint Commission
Institute of Medicine

and will be strictly enforced.